Panel joining and work surface support apparatus

ABSTRACT

A space-dividing furniture system including brackets for supporting a work surface panel along and over the top edge of movable partitions, upstanding furniture support members or other system components, each bracket also joining one component to another component along the edge of the component. Three embodiments of the bracket are disclosed including one for supporting a plurality of abutting work surface panels along several abutting components, a second for supporting a single work surface panel over one component which abuts other components and a third for supporting a work surface panel at the end of a component which is covered with an edge finishing strip component.

United States Patent [191 Kelley 1 Dec. 23, 1975 PANEL JOINING AND WORK SURFACE SUPPORT APPARATUS [52] US. Cl. 312/263; 3l2/l40.2; 312/327 [51] Int. Cl. A47F 09/00; A4713 47/00 [58] Field of Search 312/1401, 140.2, 1403,

Primary Examiner-Casmir A. Nunberg Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Price, Heneveld, Huizenga & Cooper 57 ABSTRACT A space-dividing furniture system including brackets for supporting a work surface panel along and over the top edge of movable partitions, upstanding furniture support members or other system components, each bracket also joining one component to another component along the edge of the component. Three embodiments of the bracket are disclosed including one for supporting a plurality of abutting work surface panels along several abutting components, a second for supporting a single work surface panel over one component which abuts other components and a third for supporting a work surface panel at the end of a component which is covered with an edge finishing strip component.

34 Claims, 24 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 1 of4 3,927,924

U.S. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 2 of4 3,927,924

FIG. 4

FIG.6

US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,927,924

FlG. I7

US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 4 of4 3,927,924

\OGEL FIG. I?

FI6J3 FIGJA- FIG. 22

FIGJS FlGJG PANEL JOINING AND WORK SURFACE SUPPORT APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to space-dividing furniture systems and, more particularly, to apparatus for joining a plurality of space-dividing furniture components such as movable partitions, furniture support members or the like while supporting work surface panels, countertops, ledges, or other capping structure along the tops of those furniture components.

Space-dividing, furniture partition systems generally include movable partitions or panels which are secured together in various arrangements to enclose or divide predetermined spaces in a larger room or office. Frequently, such movable panels have extended upwardly to the ceilings of the room or office or at least to high levels. Such movable partition systems have also been adapted to support desk tops, shelving, cabinets, or the like in a hanging, cantilevered manner along the sides of the upstanding panels.

More recently, a demand has arisen for greater flexibility in the use of such partition systems. It has been discovered that to provide such flexibility, it is desirable to arrange several furniture components in individual, self-supporting work station areas or units formed from variously configured movable partitions or panels including generally horizontal work surfaces supported along the top edges of such panels. A simple, inexpensive bracket apparatus which enables the assembly of such arrangements is the subject of this invention. The apparatus provides the ability to secure many movable partitions or other components together while simultaneously supporting a capping or work panel over the top of those panels. In a typical arrangement, the brackets may be assembled with several partitions to form a nurse station in a hospital, a reception desk in an office, an information desk in a store, shopping center, school, or the like and even a laboratory unit or station for schools and industry. Thus, the present invention greatly enhances the usefulness of partition systems by providing a simplified means for increasing available working space when such partition systems are assembled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the purpose of the present invention is to provide apparatus for securing useful working surfaces along the tops of movable partitions, panels, furniture support members or other movable, upstanding, space-dividing furniture components which are arranged to divide larger areas into smaller working units or areas. The apparatus includes several forms of a bracket used to join at least one of such components to another of such components or to edge-capping means for covering and finishing exposed edges of such components. While rigidly and securely joining such components and/or edge-finishing means, the brackets simultaneously provide support for work panels, countertops, ledges, or other capping structure along the tops of one or more of the furniture components. The brackets can be readily disassembled from the remainder of the space-dividing furniture system and are generally inconspicuous when assembled with the furniture components.

In accordance with the invention, a bracket means is provided especially adapted for use in space-dividing 2 furniture systems or arrangements of the type including at least one movable furniture component adapted to be secured or affixed to a second component. The components may be selected from the group including upstanding, space-dividing partitions or panels, upstanding furniture support members or posts, and the like. As used and defined here, the term component also includes edge-finishing strips or members designed to cover exposed edges of partitions, support posts, or the like. Each of the components include at least one generally vertically extending side edge. The side edge includes means for locking together at least one of the components with a second component at that side edge. The bracket means engages and supports a work surface panel, countertop, ledge, or other capping panel or structure along, over, and on at least one side of the top edge of at least one of the components. Included in the bracket means are joining means integral therewith for engaging the locking means to secure at least one component to another component. Also included in the bracket means are support means integral with said joining means and extending outwardly of at least one side of said .one component for engaging the underside of the work surface panel on that one side of the one component.

Preferably, three embodiments of the bracket are provided which may be jointly or severally combined with such space-dividing furniture components to form a space-dividing arrangement. In one embodiment, the bracket includes wedge surfaces for joining one component to another component in vertical, edge-to-vertical edge, abutting relationship and support arms extending outwardly of either side of the components for supporting the work surface panel over the top edges thereof. In another embodiment, the support arms are offset from the wedge surfaces for supporting a single work surface panel over one of a plurality of furniture components secured together in an arrangement. Yet another embodiment of the bracket means provides a means for finishing and covering a portion of an exposed edge of a furniture component as well as means for securing edge-finishing strips or members along the remainder of the exposed edge. Hinge means may also be included with the edge-finishing strips to movably secure other furniture components thereto.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes, and features of the invention will become more apparent from a study of the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a work station in which movable partitions are secured together with a work surface panel or ledge supported along the top thereof by the bracket apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rear of the work station shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, perspective view of another space-dividing furniture arrangement utilizing another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, broken, perspective view of the work station shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating two embodiments of the bracket apparatus in combination with movable partitions and work surface panels supported thereover;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, perspective view illustrating yet another space-dividing furniture arrangement using 3 the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of one embodiment of the bracket apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the bracket shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an end elevation of the bracket of FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the component joining means of the first bracket embodiment taken along plane IXIX of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a support arm of the first bracket embodiment taken along plane X-X of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of furniture components and work surface panels secured together with the bracket embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-10;

FIG. 12 is a side elevation of a second embodiment of the bracket;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the bracket shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an end elevation of the bracket shown in FIGS. 12-13;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along plane XVXV of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along plane XVI- XVI of FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of furniture components and a work surface panel secured together with the bracket shown in FIGS. 12-16;

FIG. 18 is a side elevation of a third embodiment of the bracket;

FIG. 19 is a plan view of the bracket shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is an end elevation of the bracket shown in FIGS. 18 and 19;

FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along plane XXI- -XXI of FIG. 18;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along plane XXII- XXII of FIG. 18;

FIG. 23 is a sectional view of furniture components secured to an edge-finishing strip while a work surface panel is supported thereover by the bracket means illustrated in FIGS. 13-17; and

FIG. 24 is a sectional view taken along plane XXIV-XXIV of FIG. 23.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, FIGS. 1-5 illustrate exemplary space-dividing furniture arrangements utilizing the present invention. In FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, a plurality of generally rectilinear partitions or panels 10 are secured together in generally upstanding, vertical, edge-to-edge, abutting relationship with other curved partitions or panels 12. A rectilinear, generally planar work surface panel, countertop, ledge, or other capping panel 14 is secured over the top edge 18 of rectilinear panel 10 and extends on either side thereof. Curved, generally planar work surface panels 16 are secured in edge-to-edge abutting relationship with work panels 14 over the top edges 18 of curved partitions 12. Embodiment 40 (FIGS. 6-10) and embodiment 90 (FIGS. 18-22) of the bracket apparatus of the present invention are used to secure together both the partitions 10 and 12 and capping work panels 14 and 16 over the top edges 18 of those panels as is best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4.

Panels or partitions l0 and 12 may be any type of partition panels including wood, composite, or honeycombed structure with wood veneers, or the like. Each partition includes two side surfaces and two generally vertically extending edges 17 as well as top edges 18. As is best seen in FIG. 24, each generally vertically extending edge 17 of panels 10 and 12 includes an elongated, corrugated locking or formed profile strip 20 secured against a protective strip or channel 22 having outwardly extending flanges 23. At the upper end of strip 20 is a wedge block or member 25 having inclined surfaces 24 at its upper end (FIGS. 11, 17, and 23) which cooperate with wedging surfaces on the brackets of the present invention to secure the panels to one another.

As is also shown in FIG. 24, an edge-finishing strip 26 is secured along any of the exposed vertical edges 17 when the partitions 10 and 12 are assembled into space-dividing arrangements. Finishing strip 26 includes a corrugated, vertically extending locking or formed profile strip 28, a protective bumper strip or end cap 30 formed from rubber or plastic, all of which are secured into a unit as shown in FIG. 24. At the lower end of corrugated strip 28, as well as at the lower end of locking strip 20, are wedge blocks or members similar to members 25 including inclined surfaces of the type disclosed in US. Pat. Nos. 3,430,997 or 3,517,467 assigned to the same assignee as the present invention, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. The upper end of strip 26 is cut along a plane generally at right angles to the direction of elongation of the strip to cooperate with the lower edge of embodiment of the bracket apparatus as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, embodiment 60 of the present bracket may be utilized to join several of the partition panels 10 and 12 together while securing a work surface panel or capping panel 14 over the top edge 18 of but one of those panels, intermediate the ends of the other panels.

As shown in FIG. 5, embodiment 90 of the bracket may also be used to support a work panel or capping panel 14 between two upstanding furniture support members or post 35 which themselves support another desk or working surface 36 therebelow. The furniture support posts 35 are space-dividing components including side surfaces and top edges. Posts 35 may be combined with other movable partitions 10 or 12 or furniture support members 35 by locking strips similar to that shown at 20 in FIG. 24 and secured along their exposed vertical edges. Alternatively, (FIG. 5 and in phantom in FIG. 24) panels 10 or 12 are hingedly secured to post 35 by means of elongated hinges 38 having one hinge flange 390 secured to the finishing strip which is locked to post 35 and the other flange 39b secured to another finishing strip locked to the vertical edge of the hinged panel 10 or 12. As shown in FIG. 3, bracket 90 and strip 26 may be substituted for bracket 60 such that end partition 10' can be hingedly secured to partition 10 supporting panel 14. Similarly, other components, such as a pair of posts 35 may also be hingedly secured together.

Accordingly, the several embodiments 40, 60, and 90 of the present bracket apparatus can be used to form an infinite variety of space-dividing arrangements utilizing furniture components of the type shown at 10, 12, 26, and 35 in FIGS. 1-5 while simultaneously supporting work surface panels or capping panels 14 and 16 over the top edges thereof. In the preferred embodiments, panels 14 and 16 are supported by the bracket apparatus generally perpendicular to the vertically extending components. Thus, the work surface panels are generally horizontal atop and over the component top edges.

Referring to FIGS. 6-10, embodiment 40 of the component securing and cap-supporting bracket includes a central joining member or block 42 and a pair of outwardly extending work surface panel support arms 44a and 44b extending in opposite directions from either side of block 42. Although bracket 40 may be made solid, it is preferably cast from aluminum and includes hollow areas 45 in arms 44 corresponding to the core areas of the mold. Arms 44 are in alignment with the center line of block 42 and respectively include flanges 46a and 46b extending transversely to the direction of elongation of bracket 40 at the ends of the arms. Joining member 42 includes inclined wedge surfaces 48 and 50 extending upwardly and inwardly which meet along a central line 52 for engaging the inclined surfaces 24 of wedge members 25 in the manner described above. The top surfaces of block 42, arms 44, and flanges 46 all lie in a common plane for engaging the undersurface of the work panel or capping panels 14 and 16 and supporting that undersurface flush with the top surfaces 18 of partitions 10, 12, or furniture post 35. The common plane is perpendicular to the vertically extending components in the preferred embodiment although other angles may also be used for slanting the panels 14 and 16 for various purposes. A central aperture 54 extends downwardly through block 42 for receiving a securing rod 59 (FIG. 11) to hold bracket 40 in engagement with the wedge members 25 when the furniture systems are assembled. Flanges 46 include apertures 56 extending therethrough for receiving screws, bolts, or other securing means for holding work panels 14 and 16 rigidly in place. Slots 58 extend vertically on either side of block 42 and on either side of the bracket 40 for receiving flanges 23 of protective strips 22 when the bracket 40 is secured between two fumiture components in a manner illustrated in FIG. 4. Accordingly, the length of block 42 matches the internal dimension of strips 22.

As is illustrated in FIG. 11, the joining block 42 of bracket 40 is received between the two vertically extending edges 17 of partitions 10, 12 including protective strips 22 with the wedge surfaces 48, 50 engaging inclined surfaces 24 of wedge members 25. An elongated rod or bolt 59 extends downwardly through aperture 54 of block 42 and engages a wedge member at the bottom of locking strips in the manner described in US. Pat. Nos. 3,430,997 and 3,517,467. A threaded member 59' at the top of rod 59 is tightened such that the wedge member at the bottom of the partitions is forced upwardly while the joining block 42 is pulled downwardly. Such pulling action draws the partitions together both at their tops and bottoms via the inclined, mating surfaces and securely fastens the components together. Arms 44 extend on either side of the partitions to support the abutting ends of two work panels 14 which meet over the joint area between partitions 10 and 12. Each end of each of the panels 14 is secured to arms 44a and 44b with appropriate screws received through apertures 56.

As shown in FIGS. 12-16, a modified embodiment 60 of the brackets includes a joining member or block 62 similar in all respects to the joining member 42 of bracket 40. Thus, block 62 includes inclined wedge surfaces 64 and 66 and a central rod or bolt-receiving apertures 68. Bracket 60 is also preferably cast from aluminum.

The primary difference between embodiments 60 and 40 of the bracket is that arms 72a and 72b of bracket 60 are offset from the center line of block 62 as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. Arms 72a and 72b include portions 74a and 74b extending outwardly from either side of block 62 at an angle thereto and merge into portions 76a and 76b which extend parallel with one another along a common line but in opposite directions from one another. Each arm is hollow as at areas 78 because of molding and includes an aperture 80 at the end thereof for receiving screws or other securing means for attaching work or capping panels 14 or 16. Again, as with bracket 40, the top surfaces of arms 72 and block 62 are aligned in a common plane which is flush with the top surfaces 18 of furniture components 10, 12, or 35 for supporting work panels 14 and 16 across those top surfaces and on either side of the furniture components. In the preferred embodiment, the common plane is perpendicular to the vertically extending components although it may be formed at other angles. Slots 82 are provided for receiving the flanges 23 of protective strip 22 when the bracket is assembled between two components in the manner described in connection with bracket 40.

As shown in FIG. 17, the joining member 62 of bracket 60 engages the upper inclined surfaces 24 of wedge members 25 on two abutting panels 10 while an elongated rod or bolt 84 extends downwardly between strips 20 for engagement with a lower wedge block in the manner described above with bracket 40 in FIG. 11. The offset arms 72 of bracket 60 extend inwardly under the end edge of capping panel 14 and then outwardly to areas adjacent the side edges thereof to support that panel without exposing the arm structure to a person viewing the space-dividing furniture arrangement.

Referring to FIGS. 18-22, the final embodiment of the present bracket apparatus includes a central joining member or block 92 including a downwardly extending finishing flange 94 and an upwardly and inwardly extending inclined wedge surface 96 generally opposing flange 94 (FIG. 21). As is seen in FIG. 18, wedge surface 96 includes surfaces 960 and 96b with central section 96c cut away to allow passage of a securing rod or bolt. Alternatively, the lower edge 97 (FIG. 18) of wedge surface 96 may be continuous with section 96c being cut out of the interior of flange 94 only. The exterior shape of the surface 93 of the exposed portion of flange 94 matches the shape of end cap 30 on edge-finishing strip 26 such that when bracket 90 is combined with the strip and secured to a panel 10 to support a work panel 14 thereover as shown in FIG. 23, flange 94 extends upwardly from edge-finishing strip 26 forming a finishing and edgecovering member for the upper portion of the vertical edge.

Extending downwardly from the bottom of flange 94 are two generally triangularly shaped teeth 98 joined by an integral web 99. A central circular aperture 100 extends downwardly through the center of joining block 92 for receiving an extended rod or bolt to secure the bracket 90 to the panel and edge-finishing strip. As will be understood from FIG. 24, downwardly extending teeth 98 are received in the internal spaces of corrugated or formed profile strip 28. This holds and retains the edge-finishing strip 26 against the locking strip 20 on the vertical edge of the panel or partition when wedge surfaces 96 engage the inclined surfaces 24 of the wedge member 25.

Extending outwardly from either side of joining block 92 are support arms 102a and l02b which, as in embodiment 60 of the bracket, are offset from the center line of the joining block. Arms 102 include portions 104a and "Nb extending at an angle to the sides of the joining block which portions merge into portions 106a and Gb which extend generally in opposite directions but parallel to one another along a line which is offset to one side of the center line of the block 92. Arms 102 include hollow portions 108 formed by the mold cores when bracket 90 is cast preferably from aluminum. At the end of each arm 102 is a securing aperture 110 for receiving screws or other securing means to secure a work panel or capping panel 14 or 16 to the arm. Vertical slots 111 receive flanges 23 of protective strip 22 when bracket 90 secures finishing strip 26 to locking strip 20. As with brackets 40 and 60, the top surfaces of joining block 92 and arms 102 lie in a common plane which is flush with the top surface 18 of a panel to which the bracket is secured for supporting work panel 14 thereover (FIG. 23). Preferably, this plane is perpendicular to the vertically extending components, but may be at other angles.

As will be understood from FIGS. 23 and 24, bracket 90 is secured against the vertical edge 17 of a panel 10, 12 or furniture support post 35 via the engagement of wedge surface 96 with the inclined surface 24 of wedge member 25. Flange 94 extends downwardly to the upper end of edge-finishing strip 26 with the downwardly extending teeth 98 and web 99 extending into the corrugated strip 28 thereof the retain the entire strip against the vertical edge of the partition. A rod 112 extends downwardly through aperture 100 along the entire vertical edge of the partition into engagement with a wedge block at the bottom of the partition between the wedge members and locking strips and 28 in the manner described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,430,997 and 3,517,467 described and incorporated by reference above. Arms 102 extend outwardly on either side of the partition and support work panel 14 across and over top edge 18 of partition 10 on either side of the partition. The offset nature of arms 102a locates them behind the end edge of work panel 14 making them virtually inconspicuous to a viewer of the assembled space-dividing furniture system. Flange 94 thereby forms a continuation of edge-finishing strip 26 such that the finished edge is rounded under the end edge of work panel 14.

Therefore, the present bracket apparatus in its various embodiments 40, 60, and 90 provides a means for both joining movable partitions or upstanding furniture support members or other components while at the same time supporting a work surface panel or capping panel over one or more of those partitions or members. In certain forms, the bracket also provides a means for finishing and capping at least a portion of the vertically extending edges of such furniture components.

As will be appreciated, brackets 40, 60, and 90 may be constructed to include arms extending on but one side of the components which they fasten together. In such a case, the capping panels l4, 16 would extend over the top of the component and be secured by suitable means to the top or other portion of the panel itself while the arm provided on the bracket supported the cantilevered portion of the bracket.

While several forms of the invention have been shown and described, other forms will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it will be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is defined by the claims which follow.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive privilege or property is claimed are claimed as follows:

1. In a space-dividing furniture system having a first component and a second component adapted to be affixed to said first component, each of said components including end edges, a top edge, and side surfaces extending between said end edges, and means for locking said components together at said end edges to form a space-dividing arrangement, said system also including a work surface panel; the improvement comprising:

an integral bracket including joining means integral therewith for engaging said locking means and securing said components together and support means integral with said joining means for engaging the underside of said work surface panel and supporting said work surface panel along, over at least a portion of the top edge of, and outwardly of at least one of said side surfaces of at least one of said components;

said joining means engaging said locking means intermediate said end edges thereby securing said components together only from between said end edges; said support means including at least one outward extension adapted to underly, contact, and support said work surface panel at points spaced outwardly from said top edge and outwardly of said one side surface of said one component to stabilize said work surface panel in a predetermined plane; and

attaching means on said bracket for affixing said bracket to said work surface panel to stabilize said work surface panel at a predetermined position within said predetermined plane, said bracket together with said attaching means preventing movement of said work surface panel in any two opposite directions.

2. The bracket means of claim I wherein said support means include outward extensions extending outwardly of both side surfaces of said one component for engaging the undersides of said work surface panel outwardy of both side surfaces of said one component.

3. The bracket means of claim 2 wherein said outward extensions include attaching means for securing said work surface panel thereto on both sides of said one component.

4. The bracket means of claim 2 wherein said joining means include two sides and a top surface, said, outward extensions including arms each having a top surface and extending outwardly from either side of said joining means, said top surfaces of said arms and joining means lying in a common plane adapted to be flush with the top edge of said component for supporting said work surface panel when said bracket is assembled with said component.

5. The bracket of claim 4 wherein said arms are elongated in a direction generally transverse said side surfaces of said components and include flanges extending transverse to the direction of elongation, said flanges including top surfaces flush with said common plane and apertures therethrough for receiving securing means forsaid work surface panel.

6. The bracket means of claim 1 wherein said joining means include inclined surfaces on the bottom of said joining means thereof extending upwardly and inwardly toward one another forming a generally V-shaped pocket for wedging together corresponding surfaces on the locking means of said components; means defining an aperture extending downwardly through said V- shaped pocket for receiving a rod securing said bracket means to said components.

7. The bracket means of claim 6 wherein said joining means include two sides; said support means including a pair of outward extensions, each extension being an arm extending outwardly from one side of said joining means, each of said arms including attaching means for securing said arms to said work surface panel.

8. The bracket means of claim 7 wherein said arms extend rectilinearly outwardly in opposite directions from said joining means; said attaching means including means for securing a pair of work surface panels generally horizontally over said components in edge-toedge abutment.

9. The bracket means of claim 7 wherein said arms extend from opposite sides of said joining means in generally opposite directions, said arms being offset laterally from the center of said joining means.

10. The bracket means of claim 1 wherein said second component includes a hollow edge-finishing strip adapted to be secured along one end edge of said first component; said joining means includes an inclined surface extending upwardly and inwardly for securing said bracket to said locking means and a downwardly extending flange including at least one downwardly projecting tooth for engaging and retaining said finshing strip, said flange providing and extension of said finishing strip at the end thereof; means defining an aperture extending downwardly through said joining means for receiving a rod securing said bracket means to said components.

11. The bracket means of claim 10 wherein said joining means include two sides; said support means including a pair of outward extensions, each extension being an arm extending outwardly from one side of said joining means, each of said arms including attaching means for securing said arms to said work surface panel.

12. The bracket means of claim 11 wherein said arms extend from opposite sides of said joining means in generally opposite directions, both of said arms being offset laterally from the center of said joining means.

13. Space-dividing furniture apparatus comprising the combination of a first component and a second component adapted to be affixed to said first component, said components each having end edges, a top edge, and side surfaces extending between said end edges and means for locking said components together at said end edges; a separate work surface panel; bracket means for joining said components together and for supporting said separate work surface panel along and over at least a portion of said top edge of at least one of said components; said bracket means including means extending outwardly of one side surface of said one component for engaging the underside of said work surface panel outwardly of said one side surface of said one component and joining means integral with said outwardly extending means for engaging said locking means and securing said components together; said joining means including fastening means for engaging said locking means intermediate said end edges for securing said components together only from between said end edges; said bracket means also including means engaging said work surface panel for supporting at least a portion of said panel which lies between planes defined by said joined end edges of said components generally at the same level as at least a portion of said top edge of said one component.

14. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of claim 13 wherein said components each comprise a portable partition, said locking means including wedge members secured to said end edges of each of said partitions; said fastening means engaging said wedge members and drawing together and securing said partitions in edgeto-edge, abutting relationship.

15. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of claim 13 wherein said first component is a portable partition; said second component including an edge-finishing strip fitted alonng one of said end edges of said partition; said locking means including wedge members on said one edge of said partition and on said strip; said fastening means engaging said wedge members and drawing together andsecuring said strip to said edge of said partition.

16. Space-dividing furniture apparatus comprising the combination of a first component and a second component adapted to be affixed to said first component, said components each having end edges, a top edge, and side surfaces extending between said end edges, and means for locking said components together at said end edges; a separate work surface panel; bracket means for joining said components together and for supporting said separate work surface panel along and over at least a portion of said top edge of at least one of said components; said bracket means including means extending outwardly of one side surface of said one component for engaging the underside of said work surface panel outwardly of said one side surface of said one component and joining means integral with said outwardly extending means for engaging said locking means and securing said components together; said second component includes an edge-finishing strip fitted against said generally vertically extending edge of said first component, a hinge secured to and extending along the length of said strip, and a third component secured to said hinge along the generally vertically extending edge of said third component; said locking means including wedge members on said edge of at least the first of said first and second components; said joining means having means for engaging said wedge members and drawing together and securing said strip and binge to said edge of said first component.

17. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of claim 16 wherein said third component is a movable partition which is hingedly secured to said edge-finishing strip.

18. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of claim 16 wherein said first component includes a pair of upstanding furniture support posts, said bracket means supporting said work panel over and between said posts; said third component including a partition hingedly secured to said edge-finishing strip.

19. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of claim 13 wherein said fastening means include inclined surfaces on the bottom of said joining means extending upwardly and inwardly toward one another forming a generally V-shaped pocket for wedging togethercorrespending surfaces on the locking means of said compo- 1 1 nents; means defining an aperture extending downwardly through said V-shaped pocket for receiving a rod securing said bracket means to said components.

20. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of claim 19 wherein said outwardly extending means include an arm extending outwardly from each side of said joining means, each of said arms including means for securing said arms to said work surface panel.

21. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of claim 20 wherein said arms extend rectilinearly outwardly in opposite directions from said joining means; said securing means including means for securing a pair of work surface panels generally horizontally over said components in edge-to-edge abutment.

22. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of claim 20 wherein said arms extend from opposite sides of said joining means in generally opposite directions, said arms being laterally offset from the center of said joining means.

23. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of claim 20 wherein said arms and joining means include top surfaces lying in a common plane, said plane being flush with said top edge of said one component for supporting said work surface panel on said top surfaces.

24. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of claim 13 wherein said second component includes an edgefinishing strip fitted along one of said end edges of said first component; said fastening means includes an inclined surface extending upwardly and inwardly for securing said bracket to said locking means and a downwardly extending flange including at least one downwardly projecting tooth for engaging and retaining said finishing strip, said flange providing an extension of said finishing strip at the end thereof; means defining an aperture extending downwardly through said joining means for receiving a rod securing said bracket means to said components.

25. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of claim 24 wherein said outwardly extending means include an arm extending outwardly from each side of said joining means, each of said arms including means for securing said arms to said work surface panel.

26. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of claim 25 wherein said arms extend from opposite sides of said joining means in generally opposite directions, said arms being laterally offset from the center of said joining means.

27. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of claim 25 wherein said arms and joining means include top surfaces lying in a common plane, said plane being flush with said top edge of said one component for supporting said work surface panel on said top surfaces.

28. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of claim 13 wherein said components are supported generally vertically; said outwardly extending means including means for supporting said work surface panel generally perpendicular to said vertically extending components.

29. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of claim 13 wherein said components are supported generally vertically; said outwardly extending means include an arm extending from said joining means outwardly of each of said side surfaces of one of said components, each of said arms including means for securing said arms to said work surface panel; said arms supporting said work surface panel generally perpendicular to said components.

30. In a space-dividing furniture system having a first upstanding, space-dividing component including a top surface, end edges, and side surfaces extending between said end edges, at least one of said end edges including first locking means extending therealong for locking said component to an end edge of of a second space-dividing component, said second space-dividing component being an edge finishing means for decoratively covering at least a portion of said vertically extending edge and including second locking means therealong for securing it to said first space-dividing component, the improvement comprising bracket means for engaging and supporting a work surface panel along, over the top edge of, and outwardly of at least one side surface of said first space-dividing component; said bracket means including capping means integral with said bracket means for capping and finishing a portion of said one end edge and securing means engaging said first and second locking means intermediate said one end edge of said first space-dividing component and said edge-finishing means for securing said first space-dividing component and edge-finishing means together only from between said one end edge and edge finishing means.

31. The bracket means of claim 30 including support means extending outwardly of said one side surface of said first space-dividing component for engaging the underside of the work surface panel outwardly of said one side surface of said first space-dividing component.

32. The bracket means of claim 30 including support means extending outwardly of either side surface of said first space-dividing component for engaging the underside of the work panel on either side of said first space-dividing component; said support means including means for securing the work surface panel thereto.

33. The bracket means of claim 30 wherein said bracket means includes a support arm extending therefrom outwardly of either side surface of said first spacedividing component and engaging the underside of said work surface panel for support thereof.

34. The bracket means of claim 33 wherein said capping and finishing means include a flange covering a portion of said one end edge; said securing means include a wedge member adapted to engage said first locking means and a tooth extending from said flange and engaging said second locking means of said edgefinishing means for retention thereof.

i l i I UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEIVIARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. I 3,927,924 DATED 1 December 23, 1975 |NVENTOR( I James O. Kelley It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 8, line 55;

Delete after "said";

Column 9, line 1;

"forsaid" should be -for said Column 9, line 35;

"and" should be an-;

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"alonng" should be -along--;

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Delete "of" (second occurrence) Signed and Scaled this twentieth Day Of April1976 [SEAL] A (test:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer (nmmissinm-r uflurems and Trademarks 

1. In a space-dividing furniture system having a first component and a second component adapted to be affixed to said first component, each of said components including end edges, a top edge, and side surfaces extending between said end edges, and means for locking said components together at said end edges to form a space-dividing arrangement, said system also including a work surface panel; the improvement comprising: an integral bracket including joining means integral therewith for engaging said locking means and securing said components together and support means integral with said joining means for engaging the underside of said work surface panel and supporting said work surface panel along, over at least a portion of the top edge of, and outwardly of at least one of said side surfaces of at least one of said components; said joining means engaging said locking means intermediate said end edges thereby securing said components together only from between said end edges; said support means including at least one outward extension adapted to underly, contact, and support said work surface panel at points spaced outwardly from said top edge and outwardly of said one side surface of said one component to stabilize said work surface panel in a predetermined plane; and attaching means on said bracket for affixing said bracket to said work surface panel to stabilize said work surface panel at a predetermined position within said predetermined plane, said bracket together with said attaching means preventing movement of said work surface panel in any two opposite directions.
 2. The bracket means of claim 1 wherein said support means include outward extensions extending outwardly of both side surfaces of said one component for engaging the undersides of said work surface panel outwardy of both side surfaces of said one component.
 3. The bracket means of claim 2 wherein said outward extensions include attaching means for securing said work surface panel thereto on both sides of said one component.
 4. The bracket means of claim 2 wherein said joining means include two sides and a top surface, said, outward extensions including arms each having a top surface and extending outwardly from either side of said joining means, said top surfaces of said arms and joining means lying in a common plane adapted to be flush with the top edge of said componeNt for supporting said work surface panel when said bracket is assembled with said component.
 5. The bracket of claim 4 wherein said arms are elongated in a direction generally transverse said side surfaces of said components and include flanges extending transverse to the direction of elongation, said flanges including top surfaces flush with said common plane and apertures therethrough for receiving securing means forsaid work surface panel.
 6. The bracket means of claim 1 wherein said joining means include inclined surfaces on the bottom of said joining means thereof extending upwardly and inwardly toward one another forming a generally V-shaped pocket for wedging together corresponding surfaces on the locking means of said components; means defining an aperture extending downwardly through said V-shaped pocket for receiving a rod securing said bracket means to said components.
 7. The bracket means of claim 6 wherein said joining means include two sides; said support means including a pair of outward extensions, each extension being an arm extending outwardly from one side of said joining means, each of said arms including attaching means for securing said arms to said work surface panel.
 8. The bracket means of claim 7 wherein said arms extend rectilinearly outwardly in opposite directions from said joining means; said attaching means including means for securing a pair of work surface panels generally horizontally over said components in edge-to-edge abutment.
 9. The bracket means of claim 7 wherein said arms extend from opposite sides of said joining means in generally opposite directions, said arms being offset laterally from the center of said joining means.
 10. The bracket means of claim 1 wherein said second component includes a hollow edge-finishing strip adapted to be secured along one end edge of said first component; said joining means includes an inclined surface extending upwardly and inwardly for securing said bracket to said locking means and a downwardly extending flange including at least one downwardly projecting tooth for engaging and retaining said finshing strip, said flange providing and extension of said finishing strip at the end thereof; means defining an aperture extending downwardly through said joining means for receiving a rod securing said bracket means to said components.
 11. The bracket means of claim 10 wherein said joining means include two sides; said support means including a pair of outward extensions, each extension being an arm extending outwardly from one side of said joining means, each of said arms including attaching means for securing said arms to said work surface panel.
 12. The bracket means of claim 11 wherein said arms extend from opposite sides of said joining means in generally opposite directions, both of said arms being offset laterally from the center of said joining means.
 13. Space-dividing furniture apparatus comprising the combination of a first component and a second component adapted to be affixed to said first component, said components each having end edges, a top edge, and side surfaces extending between said end edges and means for locking said components together at said end edges; a separate work surface panel; bracket means for joining said components together and for supporting said separate work surface panel along and over at least a portion of said top edge of at least one of said components; said bracket means including means extending outwardly of one side surface of said one component for engaging the underside of said work surface panel outwardly of said one side surface of said one component and joining means integral with said outwardly extending means for engaging said locking means and securing said components together; said joining means including fastening means for engaging said locking means intermediate said end edges for securing said components together only from between said end edges; said bracket means also including means engaging said work surface panel for supporting at least a portion of said panel which lies between planes defined by said joined end edges of said components generally at the same level as at least a portion of said top edge of said one component.
 14. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of claim 13 wherein said components each comprise a portable partition, said locking means including wedge members secured to said end edges of each of said partitions; said fastening means engaging said wedge members and drawing together and securing said partitions in edge-to-edge, abutting relationship.
 15. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of claim 13 wherein said first component is a portable partition; said second component including an edge-finishing strip fitted alonng one of said end edges of said partition; said locking means including wedge members on said one edge of said partition and on said strip; said fastening means engaging said wedge members and drawing together and securing said strip to said edge of said partition.
 16. Space-dividing furniture apparatus comprising the combination of a first component and a second component adapted to be affixed to said first component, said components each having end edges, a top edge, and side surfaces extending between said end edges, and means for locking said components together at said end edges; a separate work surface panel; bracket means for joining said components together and for supporting said separate work surface panel along and over at least a portion of said top edge of at least one of said components; said bracket means including means extending outwardly of one side surface of said one component for engaging the underside of said work surface panel outwardly of said one side surface of said one component and joining means integral with said outwardly extending means for engaging said locking means and securing said components together; said second component includes an edge-finishing strip fitted against said generally vertically extending edge of said first component, a hinge secured to and extending along the length of said strip, and a third component secured to said hinge along the generally vertically extending edge of said third component; said locking means including wedge members on said edge of at least the first of said first and second components; said joining means having means for engaging said wedge members and drawing together and securing said strip and hinge to said edge of said first component.
 17. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of claim 16 wherein said third component is a movable partition which is hingedly secured to said edge-finishing strip.
 18. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of claim 16 wherein said first component includes a pair of upstanding furniture support posts, said bracket means supporting said work panel over and between said posts; said third component including a partition hingedly secured to said edge-finishing strip.
 19. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of claim 13 wherein said fastening means include inclined surfaces on the bottom of said joining means extending upwardly and inwardly toward one another forming a generally V-shaped pocket for wedging together corresponding surfaces on the locking means of said components; means defining an aperture extending downwardly through said V-shaped pocket for receiving a rod securing said bracket means to said components.
 20. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of claim 19 wherein said outwardly extending means include an arm extending outwardly from each side of said joining means, each of said arms including means for securing said arms to said work surface panel.
 21. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of claim 20 wherein said arms extend rectilinearly outwardly in opposite directions from said joining means; said securing means including means for securing a pair of work surface panels generally horizontally over said components in edge-to-edge abutment.
 22. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of cLaim 20 wherein said arms extend from opposite sides of said joining means in generally opposite directions, said arms being laterally offset from the center of said joining means.
 23. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of claim 20 wherein said arms and joining means include top surfaces lying in a common plane, said plane being flush with said top edge of said one component for supporting said work surface panel on said top surfaces.
 24. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of claim 13 wherein said second component includes an edge-finishing strip fitted along one of said end edges of said first component; said fastening means includes an inclined surface extending upwardly and inwardly for securing said bracket to said locking means and a downwardly extending flange including at least one downwardly projecting tooth for engaging and retaining said finishing strip, said flange providing an extension of said finishing strip at the end thereof; means defining an aperture extending downwardly through said joining means for receiving a rod securing said bracket means to said components.
 25. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of claim 24 wherein said outwardly extending means include an arm extending outwardly from each side of said joining means, each of said arms including means for securing said arms to said work surface panel.
 26. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of claim 25 wherein said arms extend from opposite sides of said joining means in generally opposite directions, said arms being laterally offset from the center of said joining means.
 27. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of claim 25 wherein said arms and joining means include top surfaces lying in a common plane, said plane being flush with said top edge of said one component for supporting said work surface panel on said top surfaces.
 28. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of claim 13 wherein said components are supported generally vertically; said outwardly extending means including means for supporting said work surface panel generally perpendicular to said vertically extending components.
 29. The space-dividing furniture apparatus of claim 13 wherein said components are supported generally vertically; said outwardly extending means include an arm extending from said joining means outwardly of each of said side surfaces of one of said components, each of said arms including means for securing said arms to said work surface panel; said arms supporting said work surface panel generally perpendicular to said components.
 30. In a space-dividing furniture system having a first upstanding, space-dividing component including a top surface, end edges, and side surfaces extending between said end edges, at least one of said end edges including first locking means extending therealong for locking said component to an end edge of of a second space-dividing component, said second space-dividing component being an edge finishing means for decoratively covering at least a portion of said vertically extending edge and including second locking means therealong for securing it to said first space-dividing component, the improvement comprising bracket means for engaging and supporting a work surface panel along, over the top edge of, and outwardly of at least one side surface of said first space-dividing component; said bracket means including capping means integral with said bracket means for capping and finishing a portion of said one end edge and securing means engaging said first and second locking means intermediate said one end edge of said first space-dividing component and said edge-finishing means for securing said first space-dividing component and edge-finishing means together only from between said one end edge and edge finishing means.
 31. The bracket means of claim 30 including support means extending outwardly of said one side surface of said first space-dividing component for engaging the underside of the work surface panel outwardly of said one side surface of Said first space-dividing component.
 32. The bracket means of claim 30 including support means extending outwardly of either side surface of said first space-dividing component for engaging the underside of the work panel on either side of said first space-dividing component; said support means including means for securing the work surface panel thereto.
 33. The bracket means of claim 30 wherein said bracket means includes a support arm extending therefrom outwardly of either side surface of said first space-dividing component and engaging the underside of said work surface panel for support thereof.
 34. The bracket means of claim 33 wherein said capping and finishing means include a flange covering a portion of said one end edge; said securing means include a wedge member adapted to engage said first locking means and a tooth extending from said flange and engaging said second locking means of said edge-finishing means for retention thereof. 